An Evaluation of Sectional Title Schemes on the Provision of Residential Housing in Gaborone

Abstract

 

Sectional title schemes are a new form of property ownership in Botswana. The purpose of this study was to identify the problems that are faced in development, registration and management of sectional title schemes in Gaborone, Botswana. Furthermore, the study seeks to establish the growth rate of sectional title schemes and its contribution to housing provision in Gaborone. The methods that were used in this study included literature review on previous similar researches in order to gain sufficient knowledge on the subject. Questionnaires were administered using simple random sampling technique and interviews were also utilised. Finally physical record searches were conducted at the Deeds Office and Councilm Building Registry Office. The significance of carrying out this study was that it provides the government with information about the problems that are faced in sectional title tenure hence appropriate policy interventions can be designed. Since this study was the first of its kind in Botswana, property developers will benefit because the study reveals the groups that prefer residing in sectional title apartments hence the developers will know prior to development their probable target market. The results from the study revealed that the most common problems faced in development of sectional titles schemes was low buying rate and complex administrative procedures involved whereas failure to comply to work requirements by outsourced service providers and too much noise in multi residential dwellings are identified as the problems faced in the management of the schemes. The problems faced during registration included taking a long time to open a sectional title register due to lack of expertise by officers involved. The other result from the study shows that sectional title housing can contribute to housing delivery however; the current status in Gaborone is still low (not significant).The implication of the above results is that some changes needs to be introduced such that all the stakeholders can fully benefit from this tenure regime. Sensitizing the public that sectional title housing is a way forward to reducing the housing challenges and shortage; and making sectional titles cheaper as compared to conventional housing is one way through which sectional title housing can be promoted. Also policy interventions need to be made so as to make the rules and regulations flexible to addressing sectional title housing issues.

Keywords: Section, Sectional titles, Sectional titles development schemes, Housing, Gaborone, Botswana.